Thill or pole coupling for vehicles.



No. 660,256. Patented Oct. 23, I900.

J. a. LAMB. THILL 0B POLE COUPLING FOB VEHICLES.

(Application filed Jan. 20, 1900.)

(llo lglouel.)

WITNESSES. INVENTOR ATTORNEYS UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES G. LAMB, OF JOIIN STOWN, PENNSYLVANIA.

THILL OR POLE COUPLING FOR VEHICLES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 660,256, dated October23, 0-

Appliw fi January 20, 1900. Serial No, 2,105. (No model.)

To rtZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMESG. LAMB, a citi zen of the United States, and aresident of Johnstown, county of Oambria, and State of Pen nsylvania,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shaft or Pole Coupling Devices for Vehicles, of which the follow ing is a specification,reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming a part thereof,in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

This invention relates to improvements in shaft or pole coupling devicesfor vehicles, and embodies an efificient means for coupling the shaftsor pole in such a manner that they may be instantly detached whenoccasion Clemands, the object of the invention being to detach runawayhorses from the vehicle to avoid accidents.

The device is simple in construction, durable, and inexpensive, and itis susceptible of attachment to any ordinaryvehicle of the class adaptedto be drawn by horses.

The invention will be hereinafter fully described, and specifically setforth in the annexed claims.

In the accompanying drawing, forming part of this specification, theinvention is illustrated by a single view, in front elevation, of therunning-gear of a vehicle and a part of the body, which is shown incross-sectional elevation.

In the practice of my invention I employ ordinary shaft-couplings A,embodying clips to and jaws 01,, each coupling being provided with anintegral inwardly-extended sleeve or guide a. These sleeves engage thesliding spring-actuated coupling pins or bolts B, which connect theshafts orpole in the manner common to all draft-vehicles, and said boltsare maintained in normally-locked position by means of spiral. springsO, which engage the respective inner ends of the said bolts and bearagainst collars 17' thereof, the inner ends of the said springs engagingstuds d, which form part of depending arms 01 of clips D, which aresecured to the vehicleaxle Z. Each bolt B is provided with an extendedeye I) for connection with the respective ends of a draft string, rope,or chain E, adapted for sliding the bolts for releasing the shafts orpole, as will be hereinafter described.

This rope passes through guidesFand thence under pulleys g, which arecarried by a two= armed hanger G, secured centrally of the axle Z. Fromthese pulleys the rope is looped upwardly and connected with a ring it,which passes through the central portion of an operatinglever H, whichis fulcrumed to an upright i, forming part of a plate I, said platebeing bolted to the vehicle-body.

In the operation and use of the invention the shafts are normallymaintained in a securely-locked position within the couplings bymeans ofthe spring-actuated bolts 13; but when it is desired to detach theshafts-for instance, to release a runaway horse from the vehicle-it issimply necessary to pull upwardly on the lever H and communicate slidingmotion to the bolts B until their respective outer ends are Within thesleeves a of the couplings, whereby the shafts may be readily uncoupledby the pulling action of the horse, and the vehicle can be stopped bymeans of ordinary brake attachments to avoid accidents by collision. Toprevent the shafts from dropping to the ground after they aredetached,suspending-straps may be employed for attachment to theharness.

Thus the invention provides an efficient means for saving lives, and atthe same time it can be employed for readily coupling and uncouplingshafts or poles for purposes of common utility.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. Asa horse-detaching device, the combination with thill-couplingshaving spring-actuated bolts, of a lever having a chain or rope attachedwhich is secured at its respective ends to the spring-actuated bolts ofthe thillcouplings, and pulleys guiding the said rope; the saidleveradapted to be fulcrumed to the floor of a vehicle and the rope extendingthe floor of the vehicle and connected to the ence of two witnesses,this 13th day of J and loop of the said rope,whereby swinging movemy,1900. ment of the lever will simultaneously draw the bolts and releasethe thills, substantially 5 as shown and described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed myname, in pres JAMES or. LAMB.

-Witnesses:

FRED BLOGH, GEORGE O. FISHER.

